https://www.facebook.com/thecityoffargo/videos/1636135374313179
FARGO, N.D. – During his public interview with the Fargo Police Chief Selection Committee, Interim Chief Travis Stefonowicz shared he’d lead the department through collaboration.
“It is really important that we listen with the intent to understand so we can truly help them with their issue and they feel heard. Most importantly feeling heard,” Stefonowicz said.
Stefonowicz believes crime prevention efforts begin with officers in the community.
“Prevention looks like visibility. Just being seen can also have a large impact both in perception and in just the way that people feel,” Stefonowicz said.
He added the chief’s role in crime prevention is to raise community awareness and share those strategies with the community and elected officials.
Stefonowicz is the only finalist for the police chief position.
Four applications were received during the city’s nationwide search for the new chief after former Chief David Zibolski’s retirement in March. Three of the finalists were from out-of-state, with the fourth being from North Dakota. Two chose not to move forward.
The city says because of state law, applications for public employment aren’t open to the public until finalists are formally designated.. and none of the three out-of-state applicants are from the Upper Midwest.
